Punishment of their former sins So he is said to raise up Pharaoh as a Punishment of his former sin in oppressing the People of God Ex. 1. 8. to 22. and 3. 7 8 9. So Dr. Usher ' s Substance of Christianity p. 58. It 's usual with God to Punish one sin with another as for Example the hardening of Pharaohs heart was a sin in Pharaoh and God brought it upon him not as a sin but as a Punishment of his former sin and this opens the whole matter in Rom. 9. and 11. chapters and otherwise to understand it maketh God the Author both of sin and Judgment contradicteth the Scriptures and draweth a black Clould over the blessed Gospel of Gods free Grace to men Christ I am well satisfied in what you have said in this matter the 2d Scripture I desire you to speak to is Act. 13. 48. As many as were ordained to Eternal life believed From hence some conclude that the Elect only obtained and the rest were by Predestination rejected Minist To this I shall say 1. That the words may be as well read as many as believed were ordained to Eternal life 2. As I have elsewhere said the word Ordained may be as properly read addicted From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which may be rendered to Ordain Dispose set in Order or Addict So is the same word translated 1 Cor. 16. 15. They addicted themselves to the Ministry of the Saints it would be improper to say they Ordained themselves 3. To conclude that the rest were reprobated by Eternal Decree is very unscriptural and unchristian like for they that did not then believe might afterwards or at least some of them If a Minister should now come and Preach to a People that may be rebellious would he conclude them all or any of them to be reprobated by Eternal Decree and never Preach more to them If so Preaching for Conversion would quickly be at an end does not God wait long and use much means to overcome men by Rom. 10. 21. Luk. 13. 34. Christ The 3d. Scripture is 1 Pet. 2. 8. Those that stumbled at the word being disobedient whereunto they were appointed From hence some concludes that they were appointed to disobedience and therefore could not be saved Minist This is a great wrong to the Truth of God and to the true meaning of that Scripture they stumbled at the word whereunto they were set and so Tindal Translates it but take it set or appointed it 's all one they were set or appointed to the word to believe and obey it to which they were disobedient and not appointed to disobedience as some vainly and wickedly affirm Christ The 4th Scripture is 2 Pet. 2. 12. But these as natural Brute Beasts made to be taken and destroyed Hence some conclude that God made some Men on purpose to destroy them and such cannot be saved Minist This likewise is greatly misunderstood and applyed It was the Brute Beasts that was made to be taken and destroyed and not the People spoken of it being a Metaphor taken from Brute Beasts which are fatted to the day of slaughter so such men do brutishly destroy themselves Hos 13. 9. read the words and leave the Metaphor as in a Parenthesis and you may easily understand the true sence But these as Brute Beasts and speak Evil of things they understand not and shall perish in their own Corruption not because they were made to be destroyed it was the Brute Beasts that was so made But as Brute Beasts are prepared so they prepare themselves for destruction by speaking Evil of things they understand not and so perish in their own Corruption A word of Warning it should be to all especially of that Spirit and Principles to take heed and beware of speaking Evil of what they understand not lest they prove to be some of those here spoken of like Brute Beasts who are made to be destroyed knowing that brutish principles will as certainly end in destruction as brutish practices Christ The 5th Scripture is Prov. 16. 4. The Lord hath made all for himself yea even the wicked for the day of Evil. Hence some infer that God made the wicked to be Damned and therefore they cannot be saved Minst 1. It 's certain true that God hath Ordained and declared that wicked men who so live and dye shall have Condemnation 2. The Scriptures do not say that God made them wicked I think it would be an Evil saying against God so to affirm and if he did not make them wicked then he did not make them in the sence intended for the day of Evil. 3. Take it in their sence then all men must be damned for themselves affirm That all are born lyable to the second death and the Scripture saith that all before Conversion are wicked Rom. 3. 9. to 18. 23. So that if wicked men were made by the Lord to be damned then all must be damned 4. Therefore I understand the truth in that Scripture intended is that God made all for himself and such as go on wilfully in a way of Rebellion aâ—ainst him he hath determined and declared that such are for the day Evil i. e. shall meet with the Evil of Punishment and this stands in Unity with the whole Scripture yet probably in this Scripture not intending so much or only the Eternal Judgment or second death but the Temporary Judgments threatned and executed on that People for their sins altho they were his own People yet they had many such Evil days as a Punishment for their sin and that as they were wicked and for the Glory of his Justice Lam. 5. 16. Woe unto us that we have sinned but to infer from hence that God made men on purpose to damn them Eternally is a very untrue Conclusion and far from the words or intentions of the Text. Christ The 6th Scripture I shall mention is Mat. 13 11. to 16. and Luk. 20. 21. Where Christ speaking in Parables gives a reason thereof as a Judgment upon the Jews that it was not given to them to know the mysteries of the Kingdom And hence it 's inferred that they were reprobated by Eternal Decree And Luk. 10. 21. I thank thee O Father that thou hast hid these things from the Wise and Prudent c. Hence it 's concluded that those from whom God did hide the Gospel was reprobated from of old and could not be saved Minist It 's most evident in both that it 's the same as before I declared from Rom. 9. as a punishment of their former and present sins 2. There is not a word about the Eternal Decrees in either of the Scriptures but the present Judgment upon them for their past and present sins 3. They might and very probably many of them did afterward believe God having his times to work those that believe not at one time and oportunity of Grace may at another and it 's apparent the Jews time was not then come but afterwards
9. Joh. 6. 51. to reign over almost all his Subjects in Wrath under eternal torments And how would this render the fifth Kingdom and Monarchy so much spoken of in Scripture and talked of â— men but little understood to be far worse much â—â—e merciless and miserable except to a very few faâ—â—ites only than any of the four that went before it â— figures thereof whereas it shall in times as far exâ—â—d them all as the new World shall exceed the old â—â— as the Lord thereof exceeds all that ever went beâ—â—e him and further If it were not so how should â—â—ey then sing unto him and glorifie his Name as it 's â—â—d they shall Psal 66. 4. 96. 7 13. 98. 4. â—v 5. 13. If the Lord by his blood redeemed them â—â—m death to a new life for no other end but to torâ—â—nt them for ever how shall they then sing his praise â—â—d glorifie his Name The sum of all I say about this matter is 1. That God made all good yea very good and man â— his own Image 2. That man by sin lost himself and all came under the â—â—se and death with him 3. That the great design of God made manifest is â—y the second Nan the Lord from heaven to recover â—â—an and all with him that fell by his sin out of that â—â—ate of curse and death to a new life and world eterâ—ally 4. That all must come to Judgment for the things â—one in the body which Judgment shall be just and â—ighteous according to the various dispensations under which they have lived and against which they have transgressed Rom. 2. 12. Joh. 12. 48. Jam. 2. 12. â—â— 1. 25. Rev. 20. 12. Which Judgment as it will be very great and terrible suitable to the greatness of the Majesty against whom all sin has been so in the true Analogy and sense of Scripture it will be Eternal â—nto all and will be wonderful dreadful and amazing to all that meets with the least portion of penal punishment therein yet in this matter God will not proceed contrary to all rules of Justice he has given to men nor contrary to the method of his own dealings with men in like cases he always having kept and will keep to measure and times in the Judgment which is most righteous Psal 80. 5. Isa 27. 8. Jer. 30. 11. 46. 28. Nor contrary to his Name Nature and Promises at that day Jer. 12. 15. Ezek. 16 61 62 63. Luke 12. 47. 48. And so that mentioned before from Sovereignty will undoubtedly stand true He will not punish without a cause nor more than is deserved but rather less Ezra 9 13. To this righteous proceeding of God See Gen. 18. 25. Deut. 32. 4. Psal 116. 5. 145. 17. Rom. 3. 5 6. It 's true God saith to his people of old That he would punish their iniquity and sin double Jer. 16. 18. But that I taâ—â— to relate to times and not to measure it not standing with the Justice of a righteous God to punish sin double for measure but double may relate to times 1. Then by destruction temporal by their enemies And 2. At the day of Judgment and then will he be pacified towards them Ezek. 16. 63. And afterwards shall they inherit the promises Jer. 16. 14 15. But first he will punish them double Isa 40. 1. 3 Hence you may learn two good Lessons further 1. To be preparing for this great and glorious day O it will be a great and terrible day and it 's your great concern now to be preparing and making ready for it to get right in the saith and life of the Gospel in order thereunto it 's called the great and terrible day of the Lord Joel 2. 31. because the Judgment will be great and very terrible Mal. 3. 2. Who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth The terribleness of the Judgment then to be executed â— described under varieties of dreadful Expressions â—ereby to discover the dreadfulness thereof it 's called â—â—ll utter darkness a lake of fire the second death â—erlasting shame and contempt c. attended with â—â—ping and wailing and gnashing of teeth whoever â—â—ets with the least Portion therein both for measure â—â—d time will find it to be of sinking and dreadful â—oncern and therefore deceive not your self with a â—â—in conceit from self-confidence as I fear many do â—â—e those Isa 28. 15. who said they had made a coveâ—â—nt with death and were at agreement with hell â—â—ey feared not the judgment it should not come nâ—gh â—hem v. 18. All their confidence was disannulled and â—â—t to stand it 's true some men talk much of the â—edgment but expect not to come to it themselves tho â—â—e Scripture tells us 2 Cor. 5. 10. That we must all â—ppear before the Judgment-seat of Christ and receive â—â—cording to the things done in our bodies whether it be â—udor bad v. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the â—ord we persuade men yea believers and the Apostle â— Pet. 3. having declared the Conflagration of the â—orld by fire being reserved thereunto against the day â—f Judgment and perdition of ungodly men v. 7. Which is enough to amaze men in the thoughts thereâ—f were there no other or further Judgment but to â—e burnt up with the World at that day Mal. 4. 1. when â—e lake of fire must be eternal from whence the Aâ—ostle draws this result or conclusion v. 11. Seeing â—hen all these things shall be dissolved what manner of â—rsons ought we to be in all manner of holy conversaâ— and godliness that so we may escape the fire of that â—ay and v. 13 14. from the expectation of the new â—â—eavens and new Earth that shall succeed exhorteth saying Wherefore beloved seeing ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless And it 's the Exhortation of the Lord and Judge himself Luke 21. 36. Watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape alâ—â—â—ose things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man And chap. 12. 40. Be ye also ready for the Son of man cometh at an heâ— that ye think not Mat. 25. 10. And they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the door was shut O! therefore I say be preparing every day for your Lord 's appearing lest it come upon you as a snare as it will upon all the World and all that are unprepared for it read and ponder well Luke 12. 35 36 37. 2. Being ready look and wait for him love and long for his appearing to such he will appear a second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 9. 28. It is to those that love him and look for his appearing that the crown of righteousness shall be given 2 Tim. 4. 8. And none can really and rightly look for and love his appearing and say
condition than they were before but kept his real interest in them as his own and made provision for them Psal 145. 15 16. Act. 14. 17. and kept up his Sovereign rule over them at least by such laws as he ruled over them before he called Abraham out from them and expected that they should thereby feel after God if happily they might find him Act. 17. 27. and accepted such as did so feel after him as to find him Job 1. 1. Jona 3. 7. 10. and when he executed judgment upon them it was not from his Sovereign will distinct from sin as the deserving cause but for their sinning against him as their Sovereign Lord and from which Judgment they might have been and sometimes were delivered by repentance Jer. 18. 7 8. Jona 3. 7. 10. and when he used any of them as his Rod to chastise his own people and afterwards judged them for it it was not for doing thereof but for their ill doing of it Isa 10. 5. 7. 16. Amos 1. 11. I think it 's clear from Scripture that God never executed Judgment upon any of the Nations but sin was the cause thereof Gen. 15. 16. Levit. 18. 28. and 20. 23. 6. In the Gospel ministration which is the highest and most gracious in order to glory he keeps to the same method in his Sovereign Government where the Gospel comes it s carried on all according to the righteous Laws thereof not saving and damning from his own power and will without respect had to his Sovereign Laws therein exhibited to men but hath stated and will execute life and death according to those laws otherwise to affirm is dishonourable unto God and tends to end his Laws and Sovereign rule in the Gospel which Laws are exprest in these and the like Scriptures Mar. 16. 15 16. Rom. 2. 7. 10. Heb 5. 9. Rev. 22. 14. 7. And at the general Judgment he will judge and pass sentence not from an unlimited Sovereignty but according to his Sovereign Laws made known to men in that behalf Joh. 12. 47. 48. Rom. 2. 5. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 10. 2 Thes 1. 7. Rev. 22. 10. and 20. 12. and to assure us that the world shall be judged in righteousness he will not be the immediate visible Judg himself but by that man whom he hath ordained Act. 17. 31. So that it 's most apparent from these seven instances from holy Scripture that God has throughout all ages from the beginning of the world and will to the end thereof exercised and will exercise his Sovereign power over men according to his Sovereign Laws at several times given forth to them and not from his own immediate Sovereign will and power distinct from and contrary thereunto Christ I am greatly satisfied in what you have said in this matter as to the manner and method of Gods proceedings in his Sovereign Rule and Government over the world yet it being a matter of so great concern relating both to God and men if you have any further grounds to confirm the truth I desire to hear them Minist I have yet seven Scripture grounds and Arguments for the further confirmation thereof 1. That which is contrary to the whole name and nature of God as declared in his Word is irreligious to be asserted or imagined that God should from his own will without relation to sin as the deserving cause reprobate men to eternal death make them for that end is contrary to his name and nature as opened to us in his Word and therefore it 's irreligious to be asserted or imagined 1st It 's contrary to his goodness and love to men Psal 145. 9. he is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Christ To this it will be said that it intends temporary goodness relating to this world Minist In part I grant it but is this all the goodness they will allow to be in God towards men in general to allow them the goodness and mercies of this world only designedly to prepare them for eternal destruction as men fat their Cattle for the day of slaughter Are these the tender mercies they will allow to be in God to the world and no more The Scripture saith Prov. 12. 10. That the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel and those who thus render God in his tender mercies towards all do exceedingly wrong and dishonour him and render themselves to be very cruel and merciless for certainly it is not so Joh. 3. 16. Christ shews us the love of God to the world on the Gospel account 2. It 's contrary to his Wisdom and Justice 1st His Wisdom which is infinite and of which there is no searching Ps 147. 5. Isa 40. 28. that this infinite Wisdom should find out no more righteous a way to glorifie Justice but to make men designedly to sin and be damned is contrary to divine Wisdom and Justice and therefore is irreligious in the Assertors thereof And as for the righteousness of God the practical Discourse of the Sovereignty of God acknowledgeth Pag. 39. That his will is the rule of righteousness and righteousness the rule of his will The Saints of old were perfectly of this mind shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right And I heartily wish that all that profess Saintship now were of the same mind and not lay the sin and judgment of the world on the Sovereign will of God by eternal Decree the greatest unrighteousness that can possibly be fixed on the holy and righteous God therefore let men tremble in the thoughts thereof And further in the same Pag. saith he will not punish without a cause nor more than is deserved Which is the sum of all I plead for in this matter For then surely he decreed not the cause that being all one as to punish without a cause and methinks should sound very harsh in all good mens ears that love the righteous God who loveth righteousness 2d Reas That God from his decreed will should hate and reprobate the world before they were even from all Eternity as is affirmed by some is impossible and therefore irrational to be imagined that it was impossible is apparent 1st Because when God made man he made him good and so loved him or else he loved not that which he made though good and as the nature of all mankind was made in him so in him was all mankind alike good and beloved of God or all could not have faln from that good estate in him nor could have lost any thing by his Fall and that God should love the world in Adam and hate it too at the same time and before it even from eternity as some say is impossible and therefore irrational to be imagined 2. The Scripture lets us to know that God loved the world in the gift of his Son long since the Creation and Fall of men even such a◠shall be condemned for then sin and disobedience Joh. 〈◊〉 16. 19. and he
that he called it his own throne he being to sit there but till his enemies be made his footstool that is till he come to his own throne and kingdom of which he is in Expectation Heb. 10. 13. yet in this his kingdom will the father reign in and by him 1 Cor. 15. 27 28. see this more full confession of faith pag. 35 36 37 38. 2. It shall be a visible kingdom dignity and glory his kingdom now is much invisible as to men his person altogether invisible and his government much vailed and hid from the world and but little thereof apprehended by and seen among his people but then it shall be an open visible and manifest Kingdom Government and Glory Rev. 1. 7. Isa 40. 5. 66. 18. 3. As it shall be visible so it shall be universal over all it 's true it shall be first and especially over the House of Israel Jer. 23. 5 6. Luk. 1. 32 33. but it shall likewise be over all the world that ever has been or shall be Dan 7. 14. Rev. 11. 15. Phi. 2. 9 10. and the whole creation restored Act. 3. 21. Rom. 8. 19 20 21. 4. And all shall be as the effect and fruit of his humiliation so that no kingdom and glory besides or short of this can possibly answer the end of his sufferings nor the design of God therein this being the glory designed by all the issue of all the prophecies and promises the fulfilling of the mystery of God designed and spoken of by the prophets Rev. 10 7 with chap. 11. 15. Act. 3. 21. and indeed the top glory of all the Gospel design and that relative both to the father and the son Phi. 2. 9 10 11. And therefore it 's ignorance in us to suppose that it tends to lessen his glory Râ—m 14. 9. Rev. 5. 13 14. it being the great glory designed as the fruit of his death and sufferings Isa 53. 12. Phi. 2. 9 10. and that he is in expectation of Heb. 10. 13. and mediating for Psa 2. 8 9. Christ If the Kingdom shall come to the House of Israel first and chiefly what great Advantage will it be to us Believers of the Gentiles and not by Nature of the House of Israel Min. Of great advantage to all true believers among the Gentiles who are by faith accounted for Abrahams Children the true seed and heirs according to Promise Gal. 3. 29. and so are intrusted in the same Promises in Christ by the Gospel Eph. â— 6. Christ As you have given your understanding about the World to come and the Kingdom of Christ therein the next thing I desire to enquire into is whether the World in General may be supposed to have any favour and blessing therein or only to be raised to Judgment and eternal Misery as is Commonly held Min. That there shall be by the Womans seed the seed of Abraham not only a special Salvation to some believers even among the Gentiles with Christ in Glory Who shall not come into Condemnation nor be hurt of the Second Death Joh. 5. 24. Rev. 2. 11. But a more General and Common Salvation of the World from the penal part of the Second Death in times to be Effected after they have past the Judgment and born their Punishment that the Generality both of Jews and Gentiles shall in time partake of a General and Common Salvation in the World to come is as great a truth and as fully and plainly stated in the Scriptures of truth as the Salvation of believers with Christ in Glory only let this be understood that I intend not all and every one but the Majority and Generality of the World wilful Transgressors that rebel against the Light especially against the Light of the Gospel I intend not Christ I desire you to give your Scripture grounds fully 1. For the General Salvation of the Jews if that be proved I suppose it will be a great Light and inlet to the Salvation of the World Min. That the Generality of the Natural seed of Israel shall be saved is most apparent from these Scripture grounds following 1. Because God always owned them for his own People as in the best so in their worst condition both of Sin and Judgment that he owned them for his own People and Portion that their provocations were the Provocations of his Sons and of his Daughters in their worst sinning state and he losed not his Propriety in them is most apparent Dent. 32. 19. Ps 81. 8. Hear O my People and I will testifie unto thee v. 11. But my People would not hearken to my voice Israel would none of me Isa 1. 3. Israel doth not know My People doth not consider and ch 58. 1. Shew my People their sins c. By all which it appears they were owned of God to be his own People his Sons and Daughters the Portion and lot of his Inheritance Deut. 32. 9. In their worst and sinning Estate and therefore tho he Judged and Punished them severely yet we have no ground to conclude that he will Eternally Damn them being his own People and so they own themselves to be Isa 64. 9. We are all thy People 2. He owned them for his own People when they were under his Judgment and Wrath for sin Ps 78. 62. He gave his People also to the Sword and was Wroth with his Inheritance v. 63 64. Isa 5. 13. Therefore my People are gone into Captivity because they have no knowledge ch 47. 6. Jer. 5. 7. Ezek. 21. 12. All fall to the same purpose so that notwithstanding their sin and Judgment yet they were still his People his Portion his Inheritance the pretious Sons of Sion Lam. 4. 2. The precious Sons of Sion comparable to pure Gold how are they esteemed as Earthen Vessels yea in and through all they were the beloved of his Soul Jer. 12. 7. I have forsaken mine House I have left mine Heritage I have given the dearly beloved of my Soul into the hand of her Enemies They were the Lords Heritage and dearly beloved Notwithstanding all their Sin and Judgment and this particular Interest and Relation that God still owned was from the Covenant of Election and choise that God made with their Fathers Exo. 32. 13. Ps 106. 45. Rom. 11. 27 28. And this Relation to God in their worst sinning and Judged Estate is owned and pleaded by the Prophet as personating them Isa 63. 16. Doubtless thou art our Father tho Abraham be Ignorant of us and Israel acknowledg us not yet thou O Lord art our Father See ch 64. 7 8 9. And we may safely conclude that God will never Eternally damn the precious Sons of Sion his own Children the dearly beloved of his Soul tho he severely punish them 3. Tho he made use of Instruments to punish them for their sins yet they doing of it cruelly and dispitefully he reproved them and Judged them for it it was not for doing thereof because appointed by
28. 29 46. yet ch 32. 36. is a promise to the same people of an end which indeed includes both the Judgment and the Mercy the Lord shall judge his People and repent himself for his Servants c. 1. Judge them compared with Heb. 10. 30. And afterwards repent himself for his Servants Jer. 17. 4. The Judgment is called a fire that shall burn for ever viz. a fire that shall not be quenched perpetual desolations Jer. 25. 9. yet a time of deliverance is promised vers 11 12 29 10. And hence it is the Prophet in the true sense of the Scripture prayed for deliverance from the perpetual desolations Psal 74. 2 3. Remember thy Congregation c. Lift up thy feet to the perpetual desolations viz make hast to deliver from the perpetual desolations I might instance the promise of the Land of Canaan everlasting Gen. 17. 8 48. 4. Covenant everlasting Gen. 17. 7 13. Priesthood everlasting Exod. 40. 15. Num. 25. 13. Deut. 18. 5. So likewise temporary Statuteâ— and Ordinances said to be for ever Lev. 16. 34. Num. 10. 8. 18. 8. And not only time to come is frequently called Eternal and Everlasting when it intends but a time But the time past and of old since the Creation is likewise in Scripture called Eternity and from Everlasting see some Margent Bibles As Jos 24. 2. Your Fathers dwelt in the other side of the Flood in old time Hebrew Meolam that is from Everlasting 1 Sam 27. 8. Those of old were the Inhabitants of the Land Heb. those from Eternity the same as Mich 5. 2. Isa 63. 11. Then he remembred the days of old Moses and his People Heb. days of Eternity Jer 5. 15. I will bring upon you an ancient Nation Heb. a Nation from Eternity Ezek. 36. 2. The Enemy said against you aha even the ancient High places are ours in possession Heb. High places of Eternity Mal. 3. 4. As in the days of old Heb. days of Eternity Rom. 16. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eternal translated from the Foundation of the World And that properly or from the beginning all which Scriptures do not intend from Eternity in the common received sense but a long time before in some longer and in some lesser time is intended which tends with the multitude of other Scriptures that speaks of time to come under the same expressions yet limited to time to direct us to such an understanding in this matter as is sutable and agreeing to the Analogy of Scripture and the mind of the Lord therein and likewise help us to a right understanding of 2 Tim. 1. 9. and Tit. 1. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated before the World began properly Eternal agreeing with the forementioned Scriptures of old there being no promises of or in Christ Jesus that we are capable to take knowledge of but such as have been made since the World began and Recorded in the Scriptures 3 The Judgment will be truly and properly in Scripture sense Eternal For 1. Take it according to the Analogy of Scripture and common sense thereof if it be a long time it 's accounted Eternal as has been fully manifested 2. One sentence may determine all to their Eternal estate with the various measures and times of penal punishment sutable to the various facts of Men according to 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rev. 22. 12. Which as it's most Righteous and Godlike and that which he requires among men and likewise most rational so it 's all I plead for in this matter and that without which all those great promises to the World in the World to come cannot be effected 3. The Judgment and Punishment of loss will be Eternal to all that come short of the Glory with Christ to all that must be purged by fire and hurt of the second Death and this renders the Judgment to be really Eternal and in no case intrenches on the Eternal Judgment 4. Christ the Lord and Judg shall be the eternal Lord King and Judge of the renewed State and World to come and so his Judgment shall be Eternal in this sense Magistrates have been and are called Judges so were the rulers of Israel of old 1 Sam. 15. 16 17. And in this sense shall the Lord Christ be the Eternal visible Judg of the new and restored World who will rule and Judg by such Laws as himself shall then give else what meaneth 1 Chro. 16. 33 Ps 96. 10 13. Say among the Heathen the Lord reigneth the World also shall be established that it shall not be moved he shall Judg the People Righteously vers 13. He cometh he cometh to Judg the Earth he shall judge the World with Righteousness and the People with his truth Psal 98. 4 9. 67. 4. For thou shalt judge the People Righteously and govern the Nations upon the Earth Isa 2. 4â— Psal 86. 9. 102. 22. To which agreeth Act. 17. 31. He will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained and Rev. 11. 15. He will reign and judge the World Eternally in its renewed Estate according to those many promises thereof and it shall be when the World is Established when it cannot be moved 1 Chro. 16. 30. Psal 93. 1. 96. 10. 5. It concerns us so to understand the Judgment as may comport and agree with all those promises to the World at that day lest we derogate from the truth of the Scripture Record both concerning the Judgment it self and the Glory of Christs undertaking for the World and the Glory of his Kingdom in the World to come all which stands clear and in unity in Scripture Record had we but eyes to see and understand it 6. And so from the whole I conclude that my â—otions about this matter are so far from overthrowing the Fundamentals of the Eternal Judgment as that they are the most Scriptural Righteous Rational and true Discoveries thereof in which the whole Scriptures unite in which the whole name of God as opened to us in his Word agreeth and in which his wonderful design by Christ in the Gospel will Issue Phi. 2. 9 10 11. Rev. 5. 13. 10. 7. with 11. 15. Christ If so that which Men say they fear is that the knowledg hereof will take off People from fearing the Judgment to come supposing an end of the penal part will grow careless or fearless Min. 1. Were there any ground so to suppose as rightly understood there is not must not truth be declared for fear Men will abuse it to their own destruction Did the Apostles refrain to publish the mysteries of Gospel-Grace to men for fear they would â—buse it Rom. 5. 20 21. 6. 1 2. And this Doctrine now discoursed on is but a more remote strain of the same Gospel-Grace to the World both of Jews and Gentiles of which God has filled his Word that men might understand and believe it without fearing the event thereof and must we be afraid to
not only Glory but a Glorious place it 's impossible it should be otherwise And why should we be so incredulous herein the place being so plainly revealed in the Scripture 3. That this City the new and Holy Jerusalem shall come down from God out of Heaven into the new and restored World and shall be the Glorious habitation of God in and with Christ and the Saints Eternally in which shall be the Throne of Christ's Kingdom as the Son of David whose Throne was in or very near unto the old Jerusalem a Figure of this Glory which shall be the Glory and Joy of the whole Earth Psal 48. 1 2. 97. 1. The same as Ezek. 48. 35. Which will be the finishing of the Mystery of Gods Gospel-Grace and Glory to Men Rev. 10. 7. with chap. 11. 15. We find not the coming down of this City mentioned till the new Heavens and the new Earth were finished and therefore it must be in the new World Rev. 21. 1 2. Christ Do we not find it mentioned chap. 29. That God and Magog did compass the Camp of the Saints and the beloved City between the Thousand Years and the Judgment by which it seems the City was on Earth before the new Heavens and new Earth or else that the Church was the City Min. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is more properly read Holy they compassed the Camp of the Holy and beloved City and indeed the Saints are the Camp of the Holy and beloved City i. e. They belong to it and so were and are all the Saiuts interested therein and seeking after it Heb. 11. 10 13. 14. And therefore might well be called the Camp of the Holy City tho that was in Heaven true believers are said by Faith to be come to it and probably 't is the place of the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. 22 23. And are all of the Camp that belong to it and shall with Christ dwell therein when all others shall be without Rev. 21. 27. 22. 14 15. and hence may be and are called the City or have the name of the City called upon them Rev. 3. 12. Christ I shall enquire no farther about these matters but desire you to give me some instructions for my further learning by way of inference som the whole Min. 1. You may learn to understand the great mistakes that have been and yet are about the great matters of the Gospel and the designs of God therein the Restitution of all things the World to come and the Kingdom of Christ therem the Holy City new Jerusalem that shall come down from God out of Heaven all truths of greatest weight and worth and all plainly stated in the Scripture yet almost lost out of our Faith and not only so but we are ready to give them the names of Error and Heresie the Heathens that never heard of the Divine Revelation thereof as is by some observed do generally own another being after Death than in this World in another World but â—â—â—ows not what it is nor where it shall be some fancy â—â—â— thing and some another whether this expectation â—â— them be from some Divine instinct in Nature or from â—adition or both I shall not undertalâ—e to determine â—â—t a wonderful shame it is that God having given us â— open a Revelation thereof in Scripture and that as â— a effect of Christs undertaking and the most Gloriâ—â—â— part of the Gospel that Persons in highest proâ—esion should be almost as ignorant in these great â—aysteries as the Nations that are without the Gospel of â—â—â—s Grace and Glory and you may learn the greatâ—â—ss of your concern to come right in these things 2. You may learn hence to understand the mistaâ—en notions about the Eternal Judgment which renâ—ers God and Christ to be gone beyond all mercy in â—he Judgment to execute Judgment without mercy upon all sorts of People that come short of the special Salvation and Glory Which is 1. Contrary to all rules of Justice that himself has given to men which rules of Justice are to allot a just recompence of reward for every transgression Heb. 2. 2. And only presumptuous sinners and despisers of the Law died withâ—at mercy Heb. 10. 28. Psal 19. 13. And as for thers that come under the Judgment of stripes the utmost number for the greatest offence might not exceed forty fewer they might give not more Deut. 25. 2 3. To which it 's likely Christ relates Luk. 12. 48. And as for sins of ignorance no stripes were appointed for such whether it was a particular Person or the whole Congregation Lev. 4. 2. 13. They were to offer a Sacrifice and the trespass should be forgiven because it was ignorance And was it thus among tâ—â— Jews and not among the Gentiles also No verily Act. 17. 30. The times of this ignorance God winked at c. And may we not as safely conclude that he does and will â—â— do where the People are altogether without and aâ— ignorant of the Gospel as the Nations were before Christ came in the Flesh and the Gospel published to â— the Nations calling them to Repentance and that as â— Sacrifice for sins of ignorance satisfied under the Law so that one Sacrifice for the sins of the World under the Gospel may be sufficient to expiate all sins of ignorance and in times to procure some Favour Blessing and Peace to the World after they have past the Judgment according as it is written in the Volume of the Scripture that speaks thereof 2. It 's contrary to his own proceedings with men throughout all ages 1. With Adam the first sinner against God of Mankind and we in him it 's true he justly executed the Judgment threatned yet not without mercy both to him and us in that he even in the Sentence of the Judgment set both him and us on the promise of a Restitution and Recovery by the Womans seed Gen. 3. 15. And afterward when he executed Judgment without mercy upon the World by the Flood it was as they were obstinate and presumptuous sinners resisting the Spirit of God and the Preaching of Noah abusing the long suffering and patience of God 120 Years Gen. 6. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 20. And further I think no man durst affirm that that Judgment did include in it the second Death I shall not mention any more particulars but how frequent was it with him in the execution of Judgment both upon his own People and upon the Nations to leave them under the promises of Mercy 1. His own People Isa 1. 26. 4. 4 5 6. 43. 25. Jer. 23. 5 6. But in this the Scripture abounds I need mention no more 2. And as for the Nations Isa 19. 18 22 23. Jer. 12. 15. 48. 47. â—39 With many the like that I might mention It 's contrary to what he has promised both to â— People and to others viz. To be pacified in â—â—gment Ezek. 16. 63.
first cause of that which is bad is worst of all as a bad Life has a worse Heart because both Words and Works flow from and shew the badness of the Heart which is the first cause Mar. 7. 21 22 23. And then whether it do not deeply concern men principally concerned in these Notions speedily to relinquish them Quer. 14. And tho probably the persons concerned in these things may deny some of the bad things so essentially included therein yet whether it does not very greatly concern them now to consider and deeply to ponder that if to deny one fundamental truth of the Gospel namely that of the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 12. did by consequence end all Faith and Christian Religion vers 13. to 17. tho very probably they intended it not nor understood the dangerous Consequences couched in their Opinion till the Apostle informed them therein then whether to deny or at best corruptly to hold almost all the Principles of Christian Faith and Religion is not more abundantly dangerous to the persons concerned herein and whether it concerns not all to look well to themselves in time about these great matters of Faith to come right therein seeing no man can rightly claim an interest in the grace of life from Gospel grounds whose faith is not right in the substantial things thereof And although I take most of the things mentioned to be in themselves deeply heretical yet I shall not pass the Sentence of Hereticks on those that hold them nor dare I have so foul a Mouth let themselves look to that I had rather they pass the Sentence of Heretick on me than I on them tho I desire neither because I really desire the good of all and I know it will not be to their honour in the end but I hope I have learned better things from Christ I find none in Scripture stigmatized with that foul Name but those that denied the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2. 1. and that too after they had profess'd Faith in him it 's a black Name and let them use it that delight in it I think it 's learnt from the great high Priest and Apostate at Rome who stigmatizeth all for Hereticks that believe not as his Church believeth and well were it if those who profess to be come quite away did not walk too much in the same steps Quer. 15. Whether we have not cause well to consider whether those manifold and great Miscarriages in the greatest matters of the Gospel arise not very much from Traditional Receptions from Forefathers by reason of which our Eyes are blinded that we cannot see into the great and plain things of the Gospel it being most apparent that not only the Jews in general but the better sort of them even the Disciples of Christ received by tradition that Christ was to come as a King to restore the Kingdom to Israel which was a truth in it self and shall be effected at his next coming by reason of which they understood not his first coming and suffering in order thereunto nor could they believe it being blinded by their former received Notion tho true in it self viz. that he should reign but not suffer tho Christ instructed them therein at least three times and if it be so that the reception of one truth may through corruption blind persons in another part of truth which I fear is too common Whether it do not concern us all to look well to our selves in this matter lest we for ever miss of truth and spend our time and strength to maintain our Traditional Receptions the devices of others that have gone before us directly contrary to the Word of Truth and so endanger to lose our selves eternally Quer. 16. Finally Whether those Scriptures that exhorts us to lay up our treasure in Heaven and that the inheritance is reserved in heaven for believers will not all be performed in the new Jerusalem that shall come down from God out of Heaven and Heaven shall be on Earth viz. in the new Jerusalem in the new Earth and World And so the Scriptures stand in unity in this matter and Peter explains it 1. Pet. 1. 5. It 's ready to be revealed in the last time i. e. revealed from Heaven v. 13. 2 Thess 1. 7. which fully agrees with Rev. 21. 2. 2. I shall give some Account of the General and Particular Expressions in the Scripture about the General and Special Grace of God to Men. 1. Of the General 1. OF the General Love of God to the World in the Gift of his Son Luk. 2. 10. Joh. 3. 16. Tit. 2. 11. 1 Joh. 4. 14. 2. The General Sacrifice of Christ for the World Joh. 1. 29. and 6. 51. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 2. 9. 1 Joh. 2. 2. 3. The General Reconciliation and Peace effected by this one Sacrifice Rom. 5. 10. 1 Cor. 5. 19. Col. 1. 20. 4. The General Justification unto Life thereby in the Resurrection and Restitution Rom. 5. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. 5. The General Judgment at and after the Resurrection Joh. 5. 28. Act. 17. 31. Rev. 3. 10. Chro. 20. 12. Matth. 25. 32. 6. The General Restitution and Uniting in and under Christ the Head and Lord and the General Salvation that shall follow Act. 3. 21. Ephes 1. 9 10. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Rev. 22. 2. 1 Joh. 4. 14. 7. The General Commission for Publishing this glad Tydings to the World grounded on the General Love and General Sacrifice Mark 16. 15. Luke 24. 47. 8. The General Worship and Service of the World in the World to come Psal 22. 27 28 29. and 72. 11. and 86. 9. Isa 66. 23. Phil. 2. 9 10 11. Rev. 5. 13. and 21. 24. 2 Of the Particular Expressions of the Special Grace of God to Men. 1. THat God gave some to Christ as a Particular and certain Reward of his Undertaking before his Suffering for the World Joh. 6. 37 39. Rom. 8. 29 30. 2. Christ laid down his Life for the Sheep for the Church Joh. 10. 15. Act. 20. 28. Eph. 5. 25. 3. A Special Justification by Faith in Christ Rom. 5. 1. Act. 13. 38 39. Rom. 4. 5. 4. A Special Reconciliation and Peace with God Rom. 5. 1. 11. 2 Cor. 5. 20. Eph. 2. 13 14. Col. 1. 21. 5. Special Relation to Christ as his Spouse and Members of his Body 2 Cor. 11. 2. Ephes 5. 23. 1 Cor. 12. 27. and to the Father in Christ as his Children Gal. 3. 26. 1 Cor. 6. 17 18. Joh. 1. 12. 6. Special Preservation to the Glory promised in the way of Gospel-Faith and Obedience 1 Pet. 1. 5. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Jude v. 21. Joh. 10. 27 28 29. 7. Special Salvation and distinct Glory with Christ in the World to come 1 Tim. 4. 10. 2 Tim. 1. 10. Mark 10. 30. Coloss 3. 4. Rev. 14. 4. Thus have I mentioned some of the Expressions in Scripture relating both to the General and Special Grace of God to Men by Jesus Christ in the Gospel of his Grace that the prudent may consider whether it be not safe for us to conclude that there is something of Divine Wisdom in these multitude and varieties of Expressions in both cases and whether we may not both rationally and religiously conclude that it declares the manifold Wisdom as well as the manifold Grace of God to men Ephes 3. 10. Tit. 2. 11 12. Ephes 1. 10. 1 Tim. 4. 10. 1 Pet. 4. 10. And then whether it may be safe for us to inâ—rpose our own Wisdom and Devices in these â—eat Matters so as either to null and make â—oid the General Grace by the Special or to â—â—trench upon the Special Grace by the Geneâ—al knowing that we may so own one truth â—s to out and end another as the Jews did and â—et do as before I shewed and therefore whether it 's not our Wisdom and Safety as well as Honourable unto God and that whereâ—n we shall shew our selves to be Wisdom's Children to let these and every Truth of God stand in the Latitude of the Scripture's own Expressions so Justifying Divine Wisdom as Wisdom's Children Luke 7. 25. And whether the contrary may not be deemed presumption in a high measure to alter and change Wisdom's Words according to our own Will and Wisdom as if the Lord knew not best how to utter his own mind but needs our Wit and Wisdom to alter and change it as we please making it speak what it does not and whether we may not fear of falling under that Judgment threatned for adding to or diminishing from the Worâ— of God Rev. 22. 18. and that Sin anâ— Judgment Rom. 1. 22. professing themselveâ— to be wise they becâ—me fools but that it be ouâ— greatest care to glorifie the Lord now in this day of Gospel-Grace in believing the truth thereof in all its parts and living sutable thereunto that so we may live and reign with him in the day of glory Amen FINIS â—hese BOOKS following are Printed for Thomas Fabian at the Sign of the Bible in St. Paul ' s Church-Yard THE Works of Josephus with Cuts Folio The Packet of Letters Quarto The Gentleman's Recreation with Cuts Octavo Drummond's History of Scotland Containing the Lives and Reigns of James the First the Second the Third the Fourth the Fifth with several Memorials of State during the Reigns of James the Sixth and Charles the First with their Effigies Oâ—tavo A Discourse of Friendship Octavo Vincent's Discourse of Christ's certain and â—uddain Appearance to Judgment Octavo Flavell's Navigation Spiritualized Octavo Esop's Fables in English Twelves The Downfal of several Great Men or Popish Plottings not to be parallel'd in forme Ages being a Seasonable Warning foâ— the Times Twelves Robinson's Learning-Foundation teaching to Spell and to Read English Twelves A Sermon Preached at the Ordination of â—â— Elder and Deacons in a Baptized Congregation in London By. N. C.
to dispose of all the creatures that he hath maâ—e I am well satisfied in but the matter I most question and desire to enquire into is about the manner and method of the exercise and execution of this his right and power viz. Whether God has from his own will and power as some say reprobated the greatest part of the World to damnation by an eternal decree before the world was without respect to sin as the first and just deserving cause but meerly from his own will which they say was to glorifle his justice Min. Altho I believe reverence and adore the Sovereignty of God over all and his proper right to dispose of all his creatures yet I do not believe that he hath or ever will so exercise his Sovereignty as some affirm viz. to damn whom he please from his own will and power distinct from sin as the cause thereof but that he hath doth and will exercise this his Sovereign power according to the excellency of his name and nature and righteous Laws given to men on that behalf as the boundary of his rule and Government over men and that in way both of judgment and mercy and not to destroy whom he please from his own will and power without respect had to those Laws otherwise to understand I believe it both dishonourable unto God and pernicious unto men Christ Can you prove from Scripture the manner and method of the exercise of the Sovereign power of God over men Min. I can Ps 62. 11. God hath spoken once yea twice have I heard this that power belongeth to God here is the Sovereign power stated v. 12. is the manner of its exercise and execution Also to thee O Lord belongeth mercy for thou renderest to every man according to his works The exercise of this his Sovereign power is in a way of justice and mercy to render to every one according to his works and according to his righteous Laws given to men Ps 101. 1. I will sing of mercy and judgment unto thee O Lord will I sing Christ What instances can you give from Scripture to confirm this manner and method of Gods proceedings with men viz. by his righteous Laws given to men and not from his own Sovereign will and power as distinct from and contrary to those Laws Min. 1. When he first made man he gave a Law as it was most meet it should be so wherein he stated his Sovereign rule over his creature man according to which he exactly ruled and man transgressing thereof he according to his Law as the great Sovereign Lord executes the penalty on man for breach thereof Gen. 2. 16 17. with ch 3. 6 13 19. Rom. 5 12. he did not throw down man from his first estate from his own will and power distinct from the breach of his Sovereign Law as the cause thereof 2. And after the sin and fall of man into a state of death in which he might have exercised his power either to have made a present end both of man and the world or have exercised his rule over men in this estate at a distance and distinct from all Law and rule but he from his own Sovereign love and good will to man set him upon a promise of recovery and restitution by the Womans seed Gen. 3. 15. wherein mercy met with Judgment in a needful time and since its apparent that he keeps to the true rules of his own Laws in this matter Tho probably the world might be without law written as by Moses yet not without Law both of nature and creation Ps 19. 1 2 3 4. Rom. 1. 20. And probably some teachings from God instrumentally as Jude v. 14. Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied c. and Kain and Abel offered sacrifice probably by some Law from God but Rom. 5. 13 14. puts it out of doubt that they were not without Law For until the Law sin was in the world but sin is not imputed where there is no Law therefore there was some Law that being the design of the Apostle to prove that they had some Law or there had been no sin The next great execution of Judgment upon the world was in the deluge or flood which was not executed from the Sovereign will and power of God distinct from sin against his Laws as the cause thereof Gen. 6. 5 6 7. and in this they not only transgressed his laws but resisted his spirit v. 3. my spirit shall not always strive with man c. And he gave them further warning by Noah in making the Ark waiting for their repentance an Hundred and Twenty years 1 Pet. 3. 20. with Gen. 6. 3. and without doubt would have been well pleased with their repentance so as to have prevented the Judgment sutable to Jer. 18. 7 8. and the example of the Ninivites Jon. 3. 10. and accordingly he saved Noah not from his Sovereign will distinct from his Sovereign law but as unrighteous person that walked with God Gen. 6. 8 9 7. 1. 3. Instance is Sodom and Gomorah God brought not the Judgment upon them from his own will distinct from sin as the cause wherein he exercised his Sovereign power not only as a righteous law-maker but as a righteous law-executor Gen. 18. 20 21. I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it Yea and so tender was he that if there had been but ten righteous persons he would have spared it for their sakes v. 32. and finding but one righteous Lot he spared him and for his sake would have spared all his relations if they had believed Gen. 19. 12 13. by which it 's manifest that the exercise of Sovereign power was according to the right of Law by the law-maker and executor and ready to have been mixed with mercy had there been any footing for it and Lot was saved not only from the Sovereign will and power distinct from all Law but as a righteous person 2 Pet. 2. 7 8. 4. When God called Abraham out from all the world as an act of Sovereign love will and power and owned him and his as his peculiar people nearer to him in Covenant than all the world besides he exercised his Sovereignty over them according to his righteous laws and promises in that behalf and no otherwise the contrary would be very wicked for any man to assert and in keeping thereof they had great reward Psal 19. 11. and on the wilful breach thereof great punishment as Levit. 26. 3. c. and Deut. 28. 1. c. with Lamentations of Jeremiah throughout and this was his method throughout that ministration punishing them for their sins yet less than they deserved Ezra 9. 13. and delivered them many a time upon their repentance Psal 78. 38. and 106. 43. 5. Though God left all the Nations in this choice yet he did not so reject them as to leave them at a further distance or in a worse
the rule of his will the truth of which rightly understood and believed would deliver us from such unrighteous Notions and establish us in this that his will is righteous righteousness being the rule thereof And as for that Job 33. 13. he giveth no account of his matters I say 1st that he hath and doth give us an account of his matters viz. of his will concerning men else to what end are the Scriptures written if not to give us an account of the matters of God Therefore thus to understand and apply that saying is very destructive to the whole design of God in his Word which is to give us an account of his matters and will concerning men 2. We being all in the faln state under sin and the sentence of Death are liable to the various dispensations of God relative to afflictions and prosperity in this world which was the present case in which God often acts out of our sight so as to understand the particular reasons thereof it being so that in this estate no man can be just with God Job 9. 1 2 3. and v. 22. he destroyeth the righteous and the wicked all being under sin and the sentence of Death it 's said v. 12. behold he taketh away who can hinder him who can say unto him what dost thou And in this sense it is he giveth no account of his matters viz. he sendeth Afflictions and Death how and when he pleaseth and that both to the righteous and the wicked yet in all keeps to the true rules of righteousness though to us oft times his way may be as it were in the Sea and his path in the deep waters and his footsteps not seen Psal 77. 19. yet in all he punisheth sin and rewardeth righteousness both in the righteous and the wicked Prov. 11. 31. Jer. 25. 9. Jona 3. 10. and so keeps to the true rules of righteousness in all and further he has diverse revealed ends in afflicting his people and all in the end shall work for good as it did in the case of Job 3. Because of the variety of the ways of God towards men in the faln state in which oft times we cannot find his way nor he gives any account thereof yet keeps to the rules of righteousness therein for men to draw up so horrid a conclusion from hence as that either 1st He gives us no account of his matters relative to our eternal Estate or 2dly That he will damn people eternally in another world meerly from his own Sovereign will that he made them for that end is so irreligious a conclusion as not to be named among men 4. Reas To render God unto men not only contrary to his Name Nature and Word but under such Notions as rationally tends to beget in them hatred and rebellion against him instead of love must needs be very irreligious and this manner of representing God unto men doth so either it makes them rebel against him which is more common than it may be some are aware of concluding that if they are appointed to be damned there is no hope nor help do what they can the Decree cannot be altered which if it were true is a very rational and true conclusion from the premises or else turn Atheists concluding that there is no God at all or a very bad one from these irreligious representations of our holy and good God to men it comes to pass that Atheists are found among profest Christians the law and light of nature teaches it not but those abusive God-dishonouring Gospel and soul-destroying Principles it is that is become the Nursery of such abominations and that by such who might learn to teach better things 5. That Doctrine that fathers all the sinful actions of men and Judgments of God inflicted or to be inflicted upon men for sin upon the eternal and immutable Decree of God before the world was is irreligious to be taught or imagined but this of the reprobation of the world before they were and making God the Decreer of all things whatsoever comes to pass doth so and therefore is very irreligious to be taught or imagined And that some doth so appears not only by what has been of late by some published as an Article of Christian Faith That God from all Eternity immutably and unchangeably decreed in himself all things whatsoever comes to pass But another that I could name but shall here forbear saith in his pag. 92. in Answer to some Questions about this matter 1st Is not sin the cause of Reprobation Ans No for then all men should be Reprobates 2. Quest Is there no cause then of Reprobation in the Reprobates Ans None at all in that they rather than others are passed by of God this is wholy from the unchangeable depth of his free-will and pleasure and pag. 93. That God in his free-will hath justly decreed the evil works of the wicked for if it had not so pleased him they had never been at all and that there is nothing sin as God decreed it neither is there any thing in it self absolutely evil that God forbiddeth nothing because they are in themselves first evil but therefore are they evil to men because God hath forbidden them and pag. 90. God from all Eternity and according to his free-will did from his own unchangeable purpose and Council fore-appoint and certainly determine all things together with their Causes and Effects their Circumstances and manner of being c. If this Sovereign Doctrine do not only tend to father all the sin and judgment of the world upon the holy and righteous God but to end all Religion I know not what doth See my Postscript to Confession of Faith where this is further cleared 6. That Doctrine that teacheth men not to glorifie God nor blame themselves in the Judgment but rather Eternally to curse God must needs be very irreligious but to teach people that God from his Sovereign will made them on purpose to damn them Eternally without hope or help must needs teach them not to blame themselves but curse God and not glorifie him in the Judgment if they should then believe as now they are taught but they shall then know the contrary and if they curse any it shall be themselves and such Teachers as Deceived them with False Doctrine and shall glorifie God Psal 64. 8. 1 Pet. 2. 12. 7. And finally that Doctrine which is not only contrary to the principles of Reason and law of Nature in man in which he was made in the Image of God but abuseth God in his Sovereign Government over men and the truth of his general Grace to men turning the truth thereof into a lye is very dangerous to be taught or imagined but this of his damning the world alone from his own Sovereign will doth so and therefore it must needs be very irreligious for any to teach or believe it That it doth abuse God in his Sovereignty and truth is most apparent not
multitudes of them did believe Act. 2. 4. and 4. 4. and 6. 7. and 21. 20. Christ The 7th Scripture I shall mention is Jude v 4. Which speaks of certain men of old Ordained to this Condemnation Hence some conclude that some are Ordained to be damned and cannot possibly be saved Minist Tho it 's true that God hath Ordained that wicked men persisting in sin shall be damned yet the inference as drawn from this Scripture is a great abuse and wrong to the Text. The word in the Greek is of whom it was written in time past or of old unto this Judgment and so Tindal renders it that is God had of old or in time past threatened such Judgment unto such sinners as a just reward of their sin It was written of old v 14. not that he made or Ordained them for that End So that the truth stands clear from the word of truth that God exerciseth his Sovereignty over men in a way of Righteousness according to his word and not from his own will to save and damn whom he pleases distinct from his Laws given to men on that behalf the assertion of which being the highest abuse and dishonour to God the Sovereign Governour of the world as can possibly be put upon him and therefore is to be abhor'd of all sober men Christ I shall at present enquire no further about this matter being well satisfied in what has been said and likewise that there has been and yet is great mistakes about this matter that is of so great and weighconcern rightly to be understood I desire you to give me some inferences by way of instruction from the whole Min. 1. To know and be assuredly established in this that there is no decree of God for your destruction distinct from sin as the just and deserving cause persisted in without Repentance 2. Take heed and beware of sinning against this Gracious Holy and Righteous God who tho he made not men to sin and be damned yet he will by no means clear the guilty but will wound the head of his Enemies and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses Ps 68. 21. Therefore let not the Rebellious exalt themselves Ps 66. 7. As he is Gracious and full of Compassion so he is just it 's his name his nature and word Exod. 34. 6 7. Therefore I say take heed and beware of all sin 3. Take heed and beware of entertaining such notions about the Sovereignty of God as are not suitable to his name and nature his Word and Will in which his Goodness Mercy Justice Wisdom Holiness Truth and Faithfulness is so much concerned lest you dishonor him in thinking and speaking that which is not right concerning him and his Wrath be kindled against you as it was against Job's three Friends because they spake not the things that were right of him as Job did Job 42. 7. He is very jealous of his name and honor and accepteth not those that plead wickedly for him Job 13. 8. That renders God to be more cruel to the Creatures that he hath made his own offspring Act. 17. 28 29. than any of the Creatures that he hath made which are naturally loving to their own yea more hard and cruel to his own offspring than the worst and most cruel of the Sons of Men more cruel and merciless than Pharaoh who laid heavy tasks on the Children of Israel requiring Brick without straw yet it 's apparent he thought it was possible for them to get straw and to make up their full tale of Brick for he said they were Idle by which it appears that he thought they might work the harder and do it Exod. 5. But this principle renders God not only to require Brick without straw but to require all Men every where to repent and believe the Gospel Act. 17. 30. Mar. 1. 15. and will damn them for not believing yet has allowed them no power so to do but Decreed the contrary In a word it renders the Holy and Good God who is Good to all to be worse to his own Creatures his own off-spring than it 's possible for the Devil to be who is the common Enemy of Mankind and goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. But he can devour none but by temptations and delusions he can devour none without their own consent but this presents the Holy God by his Sovereign Will and Power to have devoured almost all Mankind by Eternal Decree that he made them for that very end Had they fixed such things on the Devil as they do on the Holy God they might have been credited had he power so to do but to render God to be worse to Men than it 's possible for the Devil to be is to be abhor'd of all that love and fear him therefore take heed and beware thereof He would be accounted no Man but worse than a Brute that would beget Children designedly to breed them up for the Gallows abhor such thoughts of God 4. Be encouraged from hence to believe and obey the Gospel that you may be saved and know and believe assuredly in so doing you shall be saved It 's the Sovereign Law of Christ your Lord which is unalterable Mar. 16. 15 16. He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved Heb. 5. 9. He is become the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him this is the Gospel Law of Grace to Men against which there is nor can be no Decree 5. And finally be not afraid nor discouraged be not affrighted nor amazed with any amazement either as from God or Men in this matter 1. From God in the untrue representations of his Sovereign Power as if he would save and damn from his own Will as if he had reprobated the far greater part of Men to Eternal Perdition without hope or means of help an amazing Doctrine it is that hath sent many serious Souls with sorrow to their Graves and it 's to be feared hath sent many to Perdition but look up lift up your head and heart God has determined no Damnation to any Man but for sin as the deserving cause therefore believe and obey the Gospel and you shall be saved 2. Nor be afraid of Men in your Faithful following of your Lord the Sovereign Power and Providence is over you and for you Joh. 3. 31. He that cometh from above is above all therefore be not afraid of Men. Isa 51. 7 8. But sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself and let him be your fear and let him be your dread And he will be a Sanctuary unto you Isa 8. 11 12 13 He ruleth by his Power for ever his eyes behold the Nations therefore let not the Rebellious exalt themselves Psalm 66. 7. For the Rebellious shall dwell in a dry land Ps 68. 6. Zec. 14. 17. Isa 66. 24. CHAP. II. Treateth of Election Christ I Desire to enquire into the
And now in performance Gal. 4. 4. 2. That Jesus Christ being sent for that end Joh. 6. 38. Heb. 10. 7. did in love freely lay down his life a sacrifice for the sins of the World Joh. 1. 29. 6. 51. 1 Joh. 2. 2. and this is called Gospel or good tidings 1 Cor. 15. 1. the Apostle calls it the Gospel that he preached unto them ver 34. explains this Gospel what it is i. e. that Christ died for our sins and was raised again the third day according to the Scriptures and indeed if he had not been raised again there had been no glad tidings in his dying for our sins Christ How shall we account it glad tidings Was it not sad tidings rather that the prince of life the Lord of Glory should be crucified and killed for our sins Min. 1. It 's true it was sad that man by sin was faln into such an estate of sin and death as that nothing short of the life and blood of the Son of God the Prince of life and Lord of Glory could help him out thereof the due sense of which it concerns us to keep duly and daily upon our hearts to keep us humble and thankfully to prize the mercy 2. It was sad that when he was come into the world that the World viz. both Jews and Gentiles should be so bad as to unite to put him to death Yet 3. It stands true that it was and is the best tidings that ever came to the world that God should so love the world as to send his Son and that Christ should so love the World as to give himself for the life of the world is the greatest Mystery of grace and the best tidings that possibly could come to the world so that it may well be called glad tidings it being the foundation of all Gospel doctrine and so of all Gospel faith of all Gospel grace and of all Gospel glory it 's all built on this one Sacrifice for sin on this foundation all is built pardon peace acceptation in service preservation too and the glory to come it 's all founded here Rom. 1. 16. Eph. 1. 14. 3. And as the effect of this foundation glad tidings of the fathers love and the sons giving himself for the life of the world as the glad tidings of the restitution of all things which was the great design of God and Christ in this wonderful undertaking the recovery of mankind out of that state of death faln into by the first transgression Act. 4. 2. 1 Cor 15. 21 22. and with man the whole creation shall be restored Act. 3. 21. Rom. 8. 19 20 21. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Which shall be the new and restored world called in Scripture the World to come Heb. 2. 5. Rev. 21. 1 5. in and over which the Kingdom and Government of Christ shall be eternally Rev. 11. 15. And from hence is the Gospel so frequently called the Gospel of the Kingdom Mat. 4. 23. 9. 35. 24. 14. Mar. 1. 14. so called not only because it opens the Kingdom to us and prepares us for it but because the restitution new world and the kingdom of Christ therein is so great a part thereof as that all before it and without it can be no glad tidings at all Cor. 15. 19. Christ Is there nothing else in Scripture called Gospel the word seems to be general and to be given to the whole Scripture of the New Testament especially the four Evangelists which contains precepts and threats as well as promises and soâ—â— say that it 's all Gospel Min. Although the grace the blessing the restitution the glory is properly the glad tidings yet in a right and true sense all things concurring thereunto may be called Gospel viz. the holy precepts directing us in the way to obtain the glory and the threats of Judgment and damnation to those who reject or neglect it considered as designed to prevent the damnation and as a help to obtain the salvation viz. so far as it 's designed to work us from sin to Christ and a constant cleaving to him it 's Gospel and good tidings that being the Prime and proper end thereof viz. Salvation and not damnation but to deliver and preserve from it and mens destruction is and will be of themselves by wilful transgressing the good Laws of the Gospel which 〈◊〉 not the prime design of those Laws but salvation yet the penalties must be executed on the wilful transgression thereof It 's human good tidings when those in human poâ—er make good laws with strict and severe penalties for preservation of human society order and property among men their design in so doing is not punishment primarily but the peace preservation and safety of all if men wilfully transgress and come under the penalty the fault is in themselves and not in those good laws and so it is in the present case Hos 13. 9. Christ I desire you would speak something of the faith of the Gospel viz. what faith it is to which the salvation thereof with eternal glory is promised Min. True faith ever has been and still is to believe God and to cleave to him and obey him sutable to the ministration under which men have lived in all ages This was Abrahams faith Rom. 4. 3. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness Jam. 2. 22. this being Abrahams faith the father of the faithful the faith of his children must needs be the same So then to believe the truth of the doctrine of the Gospel in all its parts and to cleave to the Lord therein is the faith of the Gospel to which the life thereof is promised What the Gospel preacheth to us that we ought to believe and that is the faith thereof The doctrine of the Gospel consisteth especially in these particulars 1. That Jesus Christ is the Messias promised the Son of God and the son of man the son of David of the seed of Abraham according to the Scripture Luk. 1. 32. Joh. 20. 31. 2. That God in love to the World sent him Joh. 3. 16. and that he in love gave himself a sacrifice and ransom for the life of the world Joh. 6. 51. 1 Tim. 2. 6. 3. That by virtue of his death and resurrection all shall be raised and restored to a new life and world when he shall come again to raise and judge both the quick and dead 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. 2 Tim. 4. 1. at which time or times shall be the restitution of all things Act. 3. 21. the new and restored world to come in and over which with his saints shall be his eternal Kingdom and glory which will be the finishing of the Mystery spoken of by the holy Prophets and then the time of this world shall be no more Rev. 10. 6 7. with chap. 11. 15. 22. 5. 4. That those who believe and obey the Gospel of this his grace and glory shall be saved and
him but for their ill doing of it Isa 47. 6. 7. Amos. 1. 11. Ob. v. 10. to 15. Zec. 1. 15. 4. And after all and as an Effect of this continued Relation interest and pitty in and towards them he has made to them many great and precious promises of their return and Salvation in the times appointed and that to the very same sinning and Judged People the same that he owned loved and pittied when he Judged them for their sins and not only their seed or posterity that might be of them some Thousands of years after as has been Imagined but to the same People to whom the promises were made after he had recompensed them double for their sin Jer. 16. 16 17. 18. v. 14 15. is a promise of deliverance yea to all of them Ezek. 20. 40. For in mine Holy mountain in the mountain of the height of Israel saith the Lord shall the House of Israel all of them serve me ch 39. clears it so plain as may silence all Objections ch 36. 10. I will multiply men upon you all the House of Israel even all of it and ch 30 about this matter and that both as to the persons concerned and the time of Effecting thereof 1. The persons concerned and that is the same that fell by the Sword for their Iniquities v. 23. For their Iniquities so fell they all by the Sword v. 25. Now will I bring again the Captivity of Jacob and have mercy upon the whole House of Israel v. 26. After they have born their shame and all their Trespasses whereby they have Trespassed against me when they dwelt in their own Land and none made them afraid So that they are the very same People that sometimes dwelt safely in their own Land and for their sins were destroyed by the Sword and not their posterity only that never dwelt safely there that are here intended and this is remarkable that the promise is to the whole House of Israel not of Abraham nor of Isaac because Ishmael and Esau went out from thence but to the whole House of Israel whose whole posterity was under the Promise Gen. 26. 2 3 4. 2. And as for the time of this return and Salvation it shall be at and after the destruction of Gog. the last and great Enemy Ezek. 38 39 Chapters And of this Salvation we may see Amos 9. 3. Tho they be Sifted among all Nations yet not one Grain or stone shall be lost Hos 11. 10 11. Isa 43. 5 6 7. with many more which relates to this universal Salvation of Israel 5. And then it 's no marvel the Apostle saith Rom. 11. 26. That all Israel shall be saved Of which I have spoken in my Answer to Mr. Coxe ch 7. To which Salvation of all Israel not only all the Scriptures Mentioned agree but Isa 45. 17. Jer. 30. 10. c. Ezek. 37. 21 22 23. with many more to which Promises we may conclude the Apostle relates when he saith v. 27. This is my Covenant with them when I shall take away their sins this is the Covenant after they had born their Punishment for their sins Ezek. 16. 52 58. 37. 26. 6. This universal Salvation shall be after the Resurrection and Judgment is over or else it could not reach them all but it shall be when they are raised up and come all of them and in this the Scripture is as express as to the Salvation it self Isa 25. 8. The time when God will take away the rebuke of his People from off all the Earth is when he doth swallow up Death in victory Which words the Apostle applyeth to the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 54. Then shall he bring to pass that saying that is written Death is swallowed up in Victory Isa 26. 19 20 21. Thy dead Men shall live together with my dead Body shall they arise awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust for thy dew is as the dew of Herbs and the Earth shall cast out the dead ch 49. 6. It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my Servant to raise up the Tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved or desolations of Israel And Ezek. 37. 10 11 14. and 39. 23 25. plainly declares the time thereof So Zech. 10. 9. They shall live with their Children and turn again So Hos 13. is 1. A discovery of their Sin and Judgment vers 2 to 9. 2. A promise of help vers 9 vers 10. I will be thy King c. But how can this be when he had destroyed them See the time when it should be vers 14. I will ransom them from the power of the Grave I will Redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy Plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine Eyes Here is an absolute promise to those People of which God will not repent and this Scripture the Apostle applyeth to the Salvation of all Israel Rom. 11. 29. The gifts and callings of God are without Repentance viz. He will never repent of the Promises and Salvation made to those People and the same Apostle applyeth the same Scripture to the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15. 54. All which makes Ezek. 37. 10 to 14. plain unto us So that the time of this general Salvation of all Israel is plainly and fully stated in the word of Truth to be at and after the Resurrection and Judgment when the deliverer shall come from God out of Sion and turn away ungodliness from Jacob this is the Covenant with them when he shall take away their sins Rom. 11 26 27. 1. To them then shall be Repentance for sin Ezek. 16. 61. Then shalt thou remember thy ways and be ashamed vers 63. That thou mayest remember and be confounded and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame 20. 43. 36. 31. 2. To them then shall be purging and cleansing of sin Isa 1. 25. I will turn mine hand upon thee and purely purge away thy Dross and take away all thy sin ch 4. 4. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the Daughter of Sion and shall have purged the Blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of burning see ch 7. 9. Jer. 33. 8. Ezek. 36. 25 33. Joel 3. 21. Mal. 3. 2 3. 3. To them then shall be pardon of sin Isa 43. 25. I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins Jer. 31. 34. I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more and 33. 8. I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned and whereby they have transgressed against me See Mic. â— 19 20. 4. And in this way of Repentance Pardon and Purging will God be pacified towards them Ezek. 16. 63. That thou mayest remember and be confounded and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame
when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done And when he is thus pacified towards them after he has raised up and gathered them he will be no more angry with them nor hide his face from them Isa 12. 1. Ezek. 39. 29. But will dwell in the midst of them Zec. 8. 3. And reign over them for ever Mic. 4. 7. Ezek. 37. 24. 25. 5. And all shall be effected by the new Covenant Jer. 31. 31. 3. 16. Ezek. 16. 61. It shall be by the Blood of thy Covenant I will send forth the Prisoners out of the Pit wherein is no Water Zec. 9. 11. And thus shall Salvation come to Israel from God out of Siâ—n Psal 14. 7. And all Israel shall be saved this is the Covenant when he shall take away their sin and it behoves us to believe it and not oppose it but to pray for the effecting thereof and to give the Lord no rest until he hath made and Established Jerusalem a praise in the Earth Isa 62. 6 7. Jer. 31. 7 8. Christ What you have said in this matter seems very plain from Scripture but are you not singular and alone herein Min. If I were as to the present apprehensions of Men it 's not material while I have all the Holy Prophets and Apostles even the whole and Holy Divine Revelation and Record for it yet I am not alone but many are for the Redemption of Israel one of which I shall mention viz. Mr. Jucreas Mather teacher to a Church in Boston in New-England on the Mystery of Israels Redemption from Rom. 11. 26. saith Pag. 5. Some think that by all Israel is meant some few of all Israel but that cannot be the meaning of the words for the note of universality all Israel will no bear such a particular restrained interpretation surely the Scripture is not wont to use such harsh improprieties of Speech as to say all when not all but a few only are intended and the Apostle opposeth the Salvation of all Israel to the Salvation of a Renmant vers 5. pag. 6. Others think that by the Salvation of all Israel is meant the Elect only which saith he tho that be true yet there is a Carnal and Natural Israel i. e. those that are by Generation the seed of Jacob who was afterward called Israel hence we read of Israel after the flesh as well as after the Spirit 1 Cor. 10. 18. Rom. 9. 4 5. Gal. 4. 23. Now of this Israel doth the Apostle here speak Rom. 11. 14. Nor indeed had he declared such a mystery as he speaks of vers 25. If only he had said the Elect should be saved doubtless the Romans knew that before whereas the Salvation of all Israel was a mystery they little thought of and I fear it 's a mystery too little thought of or believed still pag. 7. Others there are that understand all and every one of the Natural Posterity of Jacob Sic Thomas Cajetanus Dominicus Asoto that every Person among the Children of Israel should partake of this Salvation which he likewise thinks is a mistake pag. 9. Others think that by all Israel is intended the body of the Israelitish Nation as Mr. Strong in his Sermons on Rom. 11. 26. And that seems to be the Genuine interpretation of the words for in other places all is used to signifie many Mat. 3. 5. All noteth a multitudinous number and so is all to be taken Isa 66. 23. Joel 2. 28. All Israel shall be saved i. e. very many Israelites shall be saved yea all here noteth not only many but most it signifieth not only a majority but a very full and large Generality pag. 10. Their rejection was not of every particular person nor yet of a few only but of the body of the Nation so shall their Salvation be pag. 12. The Salvation of the world to come is comprehended under this saying all Israel shall be saved for the words may well have reference unto a speech that the Hebrews made frequent use of that every Israelite should have a part in the World to come therefore everlasting life which shall be vouchsafed in the World to come is here intended Mar. 10. 30. Thus far Mr. Mather with many more like sayings to the same purpose that I might mention but these are enough to demonstrate a harmony with the truth by me asserted Christ The matter seems very plain only one thing seems to lie in the way that is Isa 10. 22. Tho the number of the Children of Israel be as the sand of the Sea a Remnant shall be saved and ch 6. 13. But yet in it shall be a tenth and it shall return and be eaten and the holy seed shall be the substance thereof by which the Salvation of Israel seems to be restricted to a few and â—â—t to be so general as you speak of Min. This doubt or objection I think is cleared in my answer to Mr. Coxe ch 7. p. 56 57. That the Remnant shall be saved with the first and special Salvation of the Gospel so the Election a Remnant only obtains 2 I think Mr. Mather is full and plain in this matter viz. That the Salvation of all Israel intends the Natural Israel and not the Elect but as distinct from the Remnant vers 5. So that the Salvation of all Israel and the Salvation of the Remnant as it 's differing and both positively stated in the Scriptures so it necessarily must be differing Salvations as for the first and special Salvation by Faith now in the day of Grace so a Remnant only obtains it the Holy seed are the substance thereof the Glory thereof and had it not been for this Remnant they had been as Sodom and should have been like unto Gomorrah Isa 1. 9. Rom. 9. 29. viz. To have partaked of the Judgment as Sodom and of no other Salvation than what is promised them with Sodom at that day Ezek. 16. 53. 61. Which Salvation will be a lower and lesser Salvation than the Remnant shall obtain and that too after they have past the Judgment and born the punishment of their sins Ezek. 39. 26. 16. 58. And all shall be as the effect of the ancient love of God and promise to their Fathers Rom. 11. 28. And by that one sacrifice for sin Zec. 9. 11 12. Which intends not the Remnant but the Captivated Prisoners throughout their Generations Christ I am now well satisfied concerning the general Salvation of Israel I desire you to declare you grounds likewise for the general Salvation of the World and that with as much Evidence as from the Scripture you can Min. This I have spoken to in my additional word and more fully in my answer to Mr. Coxe ch 7. And in Confession of Faith Article 7. But it being a truth almost lost out of the world and by reason thereof accounted strong almost by all tho I may safely say as I said before that the general Salvation of Israel
publish it 2. Those who seem to be most under this complaint and fear have indeed least cause were the danger so great as is surmised their own declared principles of Faith being that which tends really and truly to teach People not to fear the Judgment viz. That God reprobated the World in general both to sin and Judgment by an Eternal and unchangeable Decree before the World was that he made men to be Vessels of wrath that neither the hope of Heaven nor fear of Hell can alter it which truly teaches People to be Atheists and not to fear the Judgment to conclude there is no such thing as sin in the World as many have done if all are the Decreed Acts of God then it must be well pleasing to him and that for which there can be no Judgment Or 2. If both the sins and Judgment were Decreed it must needs be unrighteous and that of which there is no avoiding by fear thereof and the most I have yet heard in Answer to this is that the fear of Judgment may prevent them from gross sins and so their Damnation may be the less and they thereby rendered the better Neighbours among Men but this is a contradiction their Principle of Gods Decreeing of all acts whatsoever comes to pass kills and ends this for if that were true neither hope of Heaven nor fear of Hell could possibly prevent one sin either against God or Men therefore such may learn shame so much to cry out on this when their own Notions tends to end both Sin and Judgment or to render the most Holy and Righteous God to be most unholy and unrighteous in the Judgment 3. Rightly understood were not Men perverse it is in it self so far from tending to occasion any negligence or fearlesness in this matter as that it would rather tend to warn and awaken all sorts of People under the Gospel which is our concern to look about themselves there being no hope nor help for wilful Transgressors so pâ—rsisting to the end under the Gospel all the most Eternal Judgments and Damnation threatened in the Gospel being against such and if any gâ—ow careless and wilful their Damnation will become thereby the greater and Eternal The reason is because the greater mercy and means of Light and Life is afforded unto any here it being rejected or neglected the greater will their Damnation be To whomsoever much is given of them shall much be required Luk. 12. 47. Mat. 11. 20 to 24. Christ Do you suppose that this general Grace is only to the Heathen World that neâ—eâ—â—â—â—rd of Christ Nay no sinners under the Gospel partaâ—e theâ—eof Min. 1. As before I said no wilful Transgressors may expect any share therein Prov 1. 23 10 31. Yet 2. I do not question but that many under the Gospel may as have need thereof so have share therein or else woe woe woe will be the case of many Gospel-Professors at that day but there may be many Gospel-Professors among all sorts that may have high confidence of their good estate and yet may meet with great Judgment at that day that may in timeâ— partake of deliverance that must to the fire and yet be saved 1 Cor. 3. 15. If any mans work shall be burnt he shall suffer loss but himself shall be saved yet so as by fire here is both the Judgment by fire and the loss which loss without doubt will be Eternal yet the person saved when he hath past the Judgment I know there are several Opinions contrary to and Objectionâ— against this plain truth in this Scripture as 1. Thaâ— it intends Ministers building of false Doctrine upon the true Foundation and not Members or Gospel Professors 1. I easily grant it yet if Ministers works must be burnt that are not right and yet themselves saved so as by fire then certainly the Members built and led by them shall suffer the same loss and Judgment with them if the blâ—nd lead the blind both must fall into the ditch 2. The Ministers first and Principally intended as the cause of these words we have more than probable ground to conclude were those bad ones of or belonging to the Church of Corinth of whom the Apostle so much complains 2 Cor. 11. 13. Calling them false Apostles deceitful Workers the Devils Ministers vers 15. Yet it 's apparent vers 4. that they kept to and built upon the same Foundation the Apostle had laid they Preached not another Jesus nor another Spirit nor another Gospel but the same as Paul did tho to bad ends yet these and such as these shall be saved by fire 2. Obj. That it intends not the day of the Lords coming to Judgment but some other day of Gospel-Grace in this World to brun up the Wood Hay and Stubble by the fire of the Word and Spirit bofore the dâ—y of Judgment comes because it 's said the day shall declare it not the day of the Lord as the coming of Christ and the Judgment is usually called the day of the Lord Joel 2 31. 1 Thes 5. 2. 2 Pet. 3. 10. To this I say 1. That the coming of Christ is called the day as well as the day of the Lord Mal. 4. 1. To which probably the Apostle may have respect Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an Oven And Rom. 13. 12. It 's called the day The day is at hand and Eph. 4. 30. the day of Redemption Heb. 10. 25. Exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching so that it 's called the day as frequently as the day of the Lord and indeed it is all one And it is likewise called that day 1 Thes 5. 4. 2 Thes 2. 3. 2 Tim. 1. 18. 4. 8. 3. Others say That if it do intend the day of the Lord yet it intends the burning up of things but not of Persons To this I say 1. It 's true it intends the burning up of things viz. Of all things built on the Foundation contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel both in matters of Faith and practice but the Persons must to the fire as well as their works they shall be saved yet so as by fire 2. Else all bad Ministers and Christians that have built bad matter and made bad work must be saved suffering only the loss of their building without any personal or penal suffering for the Apostle saith that those who come under this consideration shall be saved so as by fire and if so this Notion opens the Door wider than the Scripture or themselves will grant and therefore necessarily we must understand it in the sense by me asserted which is likewise plain without any harsh interpretation or wresting and wiâ—h this Rev. 2. 11. seems fully to agree he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second Death which imports not only a security to overcomers but that some may be hurt of the second Death that may not be Eternally swallowed
up therein that may to the fire and yet be saved so 1 Cor. 11. 30 31 32. we read of some that were judged of the Lord that they might not be condemned wâ—the the World which clearly imports if they had oâ— been so Judged of the Lord here they must have beeâ— condemâ—ed with the World at that day and that whoever â—â— like case is not Judged here must meet with condâ—mnation then so 1 Tim. 5. 24. Some mens sins are open before hâ—nd gâ—ing before to Judgment and some they follâ—â— after not oâ—â—y to be Judged by the Church but by the Lord as 1 Coâ— 11. 32. They are juâ—ged and chastened of the Lord and Mat. 18. 23 to 35. Christ the Lord and Judge lets us to know that some whose sins are forgiven may by their unmeâ—â—â—fulness to others forfeit all and be Judged to punishment till full satisfaction to Jâ—â—tâ—ce iâ— made vers 35. a warning and an awakening word it should be to all merciless men in Gospel-Profession Mat. 25. 41. Jam. 2. 12 13. And this is so far from mâ—nâ—â—tring any any occasion of sinful neglect that if rightly ponâ—erâ—d it would 1 Be a warning word to all soâ—s of Gospel-Professors to take heed and beware what they build both in matters of Faith and Life lest they come short of the Glory and meet with the fiery Judgment and be hurt of the second Death it 's that which â—ends to season all with the fear of the Judgment to come and a sutable preparation thereunto which being so much wanting herein some of those that â—â—ll so much thereof for others expect not ever to come to it themselves which renders them the more in danger thereof and 2. If any wilfully neglect on this account they may suffer the Etâ—rnal punishment aâ—cording to the Scrâ—pture threats thereof Christ Some cry out against this as if they were like to be undone thereby because say they you own a Redemption from Hell and a threefold state in the World to come Min. This ariseth much from Tradition and ignorance of the Restitution and World to come while the Faith of the Gospel is lost as to the Glorious design of God to the World by Jesus Christ in the Restitution it 's no marvel they are all for Hell and burning in another World while they conclude themselves to have no share therein tho it 's true there will be sire and burning enough and that to those who have the least share therein Luk. 12. 48. And good it will be to all to look well to themselves in time and come right in the Faith and Life of the Gospel lest their own fire devour them 2. Let men come right in the Faith as to the Restitution World to come and Kingdom of Christ therein without which we have not the Faith of the Gospel and the difference in this will quickly end when that is believed the difference only remains about the various states of men in that World which I suppose may well be born withal in each other especially it being so that we all must come short in the knowledge thereof till the time comes 3. And concerning Redemption from Hell the word translated Hell frequently in the old Testament and sometimes in the New intends the Grave and from thence shall be a universal Redemption of all it being one of the proper ends of the Death and Resurrection of Christ Rom. 5. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. And is called the day of Redemption Rom. 8. 23. Eph. 4. 30. 2. Sometimes Hell intends great and deep asslictions and sorrows Psal 18. 4 5. 116. 3. From which has been and may be deliverance Psal 116. 8. 86. 3. 3. The Whales belly is called Hell which is rarely mentioned in the Old Testament probably because the old Covenant as such could not bring in the second life without which could have been no second Death and it 's called Death Metaphorically and not properly the first Death being properly Death the second not so but a life in misery called Death and Hell which great and deep afflictions pains and sorrows called Hell do most sutably represent And as there has been and shall be a Redemption from Hell in all the first mentioned respects viz. Out of great and deep afflictions pains and sorrows of Jonah out of the Fishes belly and all shall be Redeemed from the Grave called Hell why we should be so incredulous of and affrighted with a Redemption from the pains and sorrows of the second Death called Hell to me seems strange especially the Scripture being so abundantly full and clear in the matter in the true sense thereof as before has been shewed and as for the Kings of the Earth at that day relative to this matter read and ponder Isa 24. 21 22. And as for the Redemption of the World or deliverance after Judgment which includes the Redemption from Hell besides what has been already said we may read as much in that wonderfully mistaken Scripture Psal 2. 8 9. Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession where is 1. Christs mediatory office respecting the World ask of me 2. A promise I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance for thy possession Inheritance and Possession in Scripture sense being generally taken for good for advantage for riches for honour Deut. 4. 21. â—â—ad very probably this saying as it sutes with may â—â—er to Lev. 25. 44 45 46. As a Figure thereof â—ere the Lord allows his People to buy of the Heathen â—â—â—d-men and Bond-women and they should be their â—â—d-servants possession and inheritance for ever A â—â—ely resemblance of Christ's purchasing possessing and â—â—eriting the Heathen World for ever as his subjects â—â—d servants sutable to Isa 49. 18. As I live saith the â—â—d thou shalt cloath thee with them all but verse 9. â—â— is to break them with a rod of Iron and dash them â— pieces like a Potters Vessel True it is so he must â—ge dash and break them first that so they may be â— for his Inheritance Possession and Service they are â—â—en to him on such terms as first to dash and break â—â—m and so conquer them to himself Psal 18. 42 â—â—n did I beat them small as the dust before the wind â—â— and verse 43 44 45. follows the service of the same â—â—ken and conquered People which relates to the very â—â—e matter or to David as a Figure thereof and Psal â— 8. agrees fully hereto Arise O God judge thou â—â— Earth for thou shalt inherit all Nations 1. Thou â—â—lt Judge break them to pieces and then Inherit â—â—mâ— and further we read in Scripture that God will â—â—me be pacified toward his People when they have â—n the punishment of their sin in the Judgment who â—â—e as great sinners against God as any of the Heaâ—â—â— Ezek. 16. 47 48 63. And Sodom and Gomorrah â—â— which there
39. 25 26. And the â—â— Sodom verse 53. 61. And the same to the Naâ—â—â— 12. 15. And indeed it 's contrary to all the â—â—de of promises made to the Nations in general â—â— been before abundantly shewed which promises â—â—â— mercy in the Judgment cannot be performed It 's contrary to his Name and Nature who has â—â—ed himself to be infinitely good and Gracious in thole Name Exod. 34. 6 7 And delighteth in â—â— Mic. 7. 18. Good to all Psal 145. 9. All the â—â—ed Goodness Love Mercy in and among â—â—en is but as a drop to the Ocean of what is essenâ—â— in God and on this very account it is he saith â—â— 27 28. That he fainteth not neither is weary from this infinite Goodness and Mercy it is that he been so ready to shew Mercy throughout all ages to â—ost incorrigible offenders and that sometimes on â—â— little little repentance compared with the greatâ—â— of their sins as Manasseh 2 Chro. 33. 1. 10 13. â—â— 1 King 21. 1 to 29. His own People Psal 78. â—â—o 39. See Act. 2. 3. And to suppose him to be gone â—all Mercy to the World in the Eternal Judgment â—â— must determine mens states to Eternity is contraâ—â— the Goodness of his Name and Nature towards â—â—â— fallen man it being a common received Notion â—ng men that sin in it self is a finite thing but in â—uch as it is against an infinite Majesty it deserves â—mite punishment and because Creatures cannot bear â—mite-punishment for measure therefore it must be â—mite for time so that if the Majesty offended were â—infinite it could not deserve infinite punishment Now as to this let us consider two thinâ—s 1. Aâ— those who affirm that God Decreed all things whatsoeâ— come to pass and that nothing is done but by vertuâ— his immutable Decâ—ee and over-ruling providence order thereunto Whether we may rationally or Reliâ—â—ously conclude that Justice cannot at all be offended â— doing it s Decreed will and work And whether Just â— might not rather be offended if men did not those Aâ— of sin Decreed to be done if it were possible not to â— the Decreed will of God Now consider the weight this reason for infinite punishment because sin is againâ— an infinite God Therefore there must be infinite suâ—feriâ—â—â—â—r dâ—ratâ—oâ— for that which infinite Justice Dâ—â—crâ—â—d to be done which were it true there could â—â— no puniâ—hment at all in way of Justice to affirm thâ— coâ—trâ—y viz. That God will damn men Eternally anâ— will never be satisfied in â—â— Judgment for doing thoâ—â— things by himself Decreed to be done is the higheâ—â— asperâ—ion that possibly can be laid on the Holy Righâ—teous and Good God that made us and is willing to savâ—â— us Psal 14. 5. 17. And eads not only all mercy but alâ— just Judgment and punishment for sin both in thiâ— World and in that which is to come there being noâ— need of mercy for doing the Decreed will of God and turns the Sacrifice and sufferings of Christ into a meeâ—â—nullity and nothing there being no need of a Sacrifice of peace for what God decreed must be done and so could not be offended unless some things be done over and above his Decreed will which is not possible if he Decreed all things this must necessarily follow unless any dare to be so bâ—ld as to assert which this principle does in the necessary consâ—quences thereofâ— that God Decreed sin to be in the World to make work for his Son to bear it As if he took pleasure in sin and â—â—â—tings of his Son and the Eternal damnation of And for such as own not this for ever to be abâ— principle I say 1. That as sin is against an inâ— God so it deserves infinite punishment yet hereâ—eth all the hope and help of Mankind that this â—â—e Majesty has always kept up infinite mercy â—e infinite Justice yet without any wrong thereto â— 9. 13. Neh. 9. 31. Psal 78. 38. And will so do â— Judgment as is most apparent as has been before â—â—â—lly manifested Rev. 22. 2. â—nd so 2. It 's the infinitness of God that is the alone â—â—d of hope in this matter next to his promises â—â— Faithfulness therein it 's the foundation of all â—â—e in all the parts thereof had he not been God â— not man he had let man and the World pass away â— Oblivion for the first sin but infinite Goodness â— Mercy took hold of Man and so of the World in â—onderful way to a wonderful and Glorious end and â— designedly to sin and damned Eternally â— It being contrary to infinite Wisdom Goodness and â—â—ghteousness And it 's the sinite Devil that is implaâ—â—le towards Mankind and not the infinite God So that all the good and mercy that has or ever all come to Mankind is from the infinitness of God that as it 's true he is infinitely just so he is inâ—ely Good and Gracious and mercy rejoiceth against â—â—dgment Jam. 2. 13. Mercy and Truth are met togeâ—â—er Righteousness and Peace hath kissed each other â—al 85. 10. So that because he is infinite shall this â—alvation be And you may learn from hence that as men have â—â—used God in their Notions about his Eternal Decrees a preparing men thereby to sin and be Eternally damned so have they abused him in their Noâ— about the Eternal Judgment as to the World iâ—neral that his Justice will never be satisfied nor â— ever he will be pacified or say it is enough 2 Sam â— 6. Nor that he can take vengeance and forgive â— iniquities Psal 98. 8. A wonderful strange Notiâ— is to suppose that God who is infinite in Goodness has been so exceeding good to Mankind ever since first sin and fall and will be to the Judgment should tâ— lose all Goodness and Mercy to Mankind except a â— only and be turned all into Justice and Wrath eterâ—ly Surely I think he must then cease to be wâ— he has been and be what he never was especially it â—ing so exceeding contrary to his Gospel design by â—sus made manifest throughout the Scriptures ever siâ— the first sin and fall tho in this we may safely concluâ— that as the Glory prepared for and promised to â— Saints is such as Eye hath not seen nor Ears hearâ— nor can it enter into the heart of Man to conceive â—â— he being infinite and just the least measure of Judgmeâ—â— and Vengeance at that day will be such as Eye haâ—â— not seen nor Ear heard nor can it enter into the heaâ— of Man to conceive Yet that mercy in times shall â—â— extended to the World as it 's sutable to the Scripturâ— and Gosp I design so it 's sutable to the Name and Nature of God 6. It 's contrary to the Kingdom and Glory oâ— Christ in the World to come what Glory will it be tâ— the most Gracious and Glorious King of the World who has purchased his Kingdom and Subjects with hiâ— own Blood Rom. 14.